RSS Feed
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ashley Claire Branan, Joseph Bradley Sheffield united in marriage Saturday, April 14 in Athens
The bride is the daughter of Doctor and Mrs. William Clarence Branan of Washington. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Ralph Sheffield of Screven. The church entrance railings were covered with garlands of smilax and cream tulle bows. Each of the six doors leading into the Narthex of the church was centered with fresh wreaths of dendrobium orchids, peonies, hypericum and feather eucalyptus. The guest book was placed outside the church on a table covered with the train of the bride's mother's wedding gown. An arrangement of peonies, Eskimo roses, feather eucalyptus and mini calla lilies was placed on the guest registry table. Lisa Jackson of Dacula tended the guest book prior to the wedding. The Narthex of the church was illuminated with votive candles, silver candelabra and candles in hurricane globes encircled with smilax. Each candle in the Narthex honored the memory of special family friends and family members of the couple. A large silver floor urn marked the central aisle of the church and held a profusion of calla lilies, white peonies, hypericum, feather eucalyptus and Eskimo roses. Guests were greeted by honorary bridesmaids who presented programs from silver trays. All first cousins of the bride, they were Meredith Len Parsons of Statesboro, Courtney Susan Parsons and Lauren Anne Ellerbee of Athens and Morgan Elizabeth Ellerbee of Watkinsville. Prior to the ceremony, the couple partook of Holy Communion offered by Reverend Moore in the chapel of the church. The couple broke bread, baked by Mrs. James I. Roberts of Washington, and took communion from a silver wedding cup, a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Theron Wallace and Mollie of Conyers. The focal point of the sanctuary was the massive floor-length stained glass windows, depicting the life of Christ from birth to resurrection, lit by the afternoon sun. A cascading arrangement of white calla lilies and feather eucalyptus was placed on the altar table along with a large silver cross and two candelabra. Behind the altar table were palms and ferns. An archway of tapers and two candelabras of tapers were lighted by brothers of the bride, William Douglas Branan of Douglasville and Dan Clarence Branan of Kennesaw. Family pews were marked with bouquets of white dendrobium orchids, mini calla lilies, ranuculus, hypericum, ruscus and feather eucalyptus. Janis Tribble Maxwell of Athens, organist, and Janet Hall Pharr of Washington, pianist, presented a collection of classical and sacred music during the prelude. The grandmother of the bride and godparents of the bride entered the sanctuary to "Ode to Joy." The mothers of the bride and bridegroom processed to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." Mrs. Maxwell chimed the beginning of the service of memory conducted by Reverend Moore. This portion of the service was a remembrance of individuals who had been instrumental in shaping the lives of the bride and bridegroom. A large pillar candle was lit in each of the side windows of the sanctuary to remember and honor Mr. and Mrs. William Douglas Branan, paternal grandparents of the bride; Mr. and Mrs. W. Lester Dixon and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Sheffield, grandparents of the bridegroom; Mrs. Weyman L. Malcom and Mrs. John Glenn Cobb Sr., maternal great-grandmothers of the bride; Arlyne Nash, college roommate of the bride, and Mrs. Frances Turner Arnett, special friend and caregiver of the bride. Acolytes for this portion of the service were Shirley Branan Williamson of Martinez, Melanie Cobb Parsons of Williamsburg, Va., Len Cobb Ellerbee of Watkinsville, William Douglas Branan of Douglasville, Dan Clarence Branan of Kennesaw, Wanda Dixon Elton of Hazelhurst, Mildred Sheffield Kirkland of Jesup and Sable Nash Allen of Watkinsville. After the service of memory, Charles Darren Pharr of Washington, soloist, sang a medley of "In This Very Room" and "Surely the Presence." The processional of the wedding party was "Canon in D" and the bride entered the sanctuary to "Trumpet Voluntary." During the ceremony Darron Mitchell Burnette of Statesboro read Psalm 36:5-7 and Amanda Burgess Marable of Watkinsville read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. These two passages were read from the new family Bible presented the couple by Mr. and Mrs. Leonard F. Cobb, grandparents of the bride. The congregation responded at the close of the service with Jeremiah 29:11. Leonard Fretwell Cobb of Athens served as best man. Groomsmen were Aulbert Judson Brannen and John Daniel Brannen of Statesboro, Joshua Lee Elton of Hazelhurst, Patrick Adam Tresey of Holland, Mich., Robbie Kristopher Winn of Bristol and Jimmy Lee Winn of Jesup. Ushers were William Douglas Branan and Dan Clarence Branan. All were attired in traditional black tuxedoes with boutonnieres of Aloha roses except for the bridegroom whose boutonniere was a miniature white calla lily, palm and hypericum. Jessica Diane Dickens of Littleton, Colo., childhood friend of the bride, served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Jana Davis Hester of Winder, Katie Davis Huff of Dewey Rose, Molly Irene McDougall of Watkinsville, Megan Whitworth Palmer of Thomasville, Margaret Kathryn Walker of Macon and Jennifer Cravens Partridge of Augusta. The bridesmaids wore floor-length gowns of clover green satin which featured draped bodices with shirred waistlines attached to slim skirts. Each attendant wore floating pearl and crystal necklaces with matching earrings, gifts from the bride. Honorary bridesmaids wore fiesta peach taffeta tea-length skirts with matching sleeveless fitted tops. An ivory satin bow tied at the waist completed their ensemble. They also wore a strand of pearls started at birth by their maternal grandparents. The bride presented them crystal and pearl drop earrings. Each bridesmaid carried a hand-tied bouquet of Aloha roses, hypericum, Eskimo roses, yellow tulips and feather eucalyptus and each honorary bridesmaid carried a single long-stemmed calla lily and hypericum tied with ivory satin ribbon. The bride, given in marriage by her parents, was radiant on the arm of her father. Her gown was an exclusive design of ivory bridal satin. The strapless bodice was embellished with satin ribbon, seed pearls, crystals and silver thread embroidery. A ribbon of crystals encircled the dropped waistline which formed a "V" in the front and back of the gown. The trumpet skirt flowed into a chapel-length train and featured more embroidery, crystals and seed pearls along the hem and train. Covered satin buttons and crystals covered the entire length of the back of the gown. Her tiara was embellished with seed pearls and crystals. It held a fingertip veil of silk illusion edged with silver embroidery. She wore a single strand of pearls that was a gift from her maternal grandparents at her birth. Pearl and silver drop earrings, a gift from the bridegroom, complemented her pearl necklace. Her satin garter was designed and handmade by her mother. It held a sixpence given to the bride's mother on her wedding by Mr. and Mrs. James Callaway Burton. The bridal bouquet was a hand-tied design of calla lilies, Eskimo roses, Aloha roses, peonies, white tulips, hypericum and dendrobium orchids. After the bridal couple was presented for marriage, the soloist sang "Unfailing Love" and at the close of the service, "The Lord's Prayer". The recessional was "The Wedding March." For her daughter's wedding Mrs. Branan wore a floor-length ensemble of mocha taffeta overlaid with organza. The A-line skirt featured a tiered hemline and was complemented by a fitted bodice covered with lace, crystals and seed pearls. Her matching jacket was of sheer mocha organza. A bronze pearl and crystal necklace with matching earrings and bracelet completed her ensemble. Mrs. Branan carried a linen handkerchief, a gift to her from Lisa Lindsey Isham of Washington. The bridegroom's mother, Mrs. Sheffield, wore a champagne floor-length skirt with matching bodice and jacket. The bodice featured seed pearls, lace and crystals. Her jewelry was a pearl necklace with matching pearl drop earrings. Both mothers carried sterling silver tussie mussies filled with Aloha roses, Eskimo roses and hypericum. Mrs. Leonard Cobb, the bride's grandmother, wore a two-piece teal silk dupioni suit. The bodice was embossed and had a design of embroidery and crystals. She was presented a corsage of cream orchids tied with ivory ribbon. The bride's godparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Callaway Burton of Washington, were seated in a place of honor and presented a corsage and boutonniere of Eskimo roses. The wedding was directed by Carolyn Merritt Ainslie and Leah Malcom Ainslie of Madison assisted by Molly Burgess of Athens. Jerry Stover of Washington videographed the wedding and reception. Reception The elegant Hancock Hall of First United Methodist Church was the site of the wedding reception for Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bradley Sheffield hosted by the bride's parents, Dr. and Mrs. William C. Branan, immediately following the ceremony. Ferns on columned pedestals lined the path to Hancock Hall. Along the entrance to the Hall was a large framed collage of pictures for the guests to sign. The bride's portrait was displayed near the front door of the Hall. Greeting guests were Mr. and Mrs. Martin Hawse Burgess, Mr. and Mrs. James Barry Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. James Richard Barry, all of Washington; also, Mr. and Mrs. D. Wayne Akins Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Johnson, all of Statesboro. The focal point of the reception hall was a large buffet table covered with sage green damask cloths embossed with an ivory design. A bronze Grecian urn centered the table filled with a profusion of Aloha roses, Eskimo roses, peonies, calla lilies, Fuji mums, white tulips, feather eucalyptus, ruscus and ranuculus. Massive bronze candelabra were placed along the buffet. Guest tables were covered with floorlength ivory linen cloths and topped with ivory and gold damask. The center of the tables held Grecian vases and candelabra filled with peonies, Aloha roses and feather eucalyptus. Bridesmaids' bouquets in crystal vases were interspersed on tables throughout the dining area. Guests dined from a beautifully appointed food display of roast pork tenderloin, eye of the round roast, tropical chicken salad with timbales, Swedish meatballs, warm shrimp and crab dip with assorted crackers, potato salad, pasta salad, fresh and marinated vegetables, fresh fruit with dip, international cheeses and an assortment of breads. A dessert bar was featured at another station with an assortment of cheesecakes and toppings, lemon bars, wedding cookies and chocolate dipped pretzels. The bride's cake was served from a central point by Kathryn Roberts Bailey of Central, S. C., and Heather Purdy Wheatley of Athens. It was an ivory confection of alternating layers of raspberry and lemon placed on an ornate silver plateau. The tiers were separated by Aloha roses and ruscus. A smaller arrangement of roses adorned the top along with the couple's monogram. The cake table was covered with a beautiful embroidered ivory organza cloth. A crystal vase, a gift from the bridegroom's parents, was placed next to the bride's cake to hold her wedding bouquet. The cake was served with a crystal knife and server in the bride's chosen pattern. This set was a wedding gift from Mrs. Morgan Charles Adair of Washington. The bridegroom's cake was a chocolate cream cake displayed on a smaller silver cake plateau lined with play money to denote the bridegroom's banking career. Fresh strawberries were also used in decorating the cake. The bridegroom's cake was served by Maggie Tatum Winn of Jesup and Jessica Leigh Cadwell of Bonaire. Others assisting in serving were Kelli Thornton Tillman and Jillian Malena Wells of Washington, Virginia Fortson McAvoy of Greensboro and Leigh Eason Oxendine of Augusta. Mrs. Martin Burgess of Washington served as coordinator of the reception attendants. The stage area was aglow with candles, palms and ferns. The Julie Caldwell Band of Athens played for the guests' enjoyment throughout the reception. The bride and bridegroom danced their first dance to "My Wish." The bride and her father danced to "Thank Heaven for Little Girls." After tossing the bouquet and garter, guests were invited to line the outside portico and were given gold sparklers to line the walkway for the couple's departure. After a trip to Aventura Spa Resort in Mexico, Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield are at home in Athens. Rehearsal Dinner Mr. and Mrs. Billy Ralph Sheffield of Screven entertained the wedding party, family and friends at a rehearsal dinner honoring Ashley Branan and Brad Sheffield. Guests enjoyed a seated candlelit dinner in the Georgia Ballroom of the Holiday Inn in Athens. Tables were covered with ivory linen cloths centered with a arrangements of votive candles and pillar candles in hurricane globes. The bride-elect's seat was marked with a cream chair cover tied with tulle and monogrammed with her name. A wedding veil adorned the back of her chair. The prospective bridegroom's seat was covered with a black chair cover monogrammed with his name and a black top hat. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal of chicken marsala, steamed broccoli, roasted potatoes, fresh garden salad, rolls and an assortment of cheesecakes for dessert. James Callaway Burton offered a blessing before the meal. After dinner a video depicting the life of the wedding couple was presented by the bride-elect's uncle, Joseph Parsons of Williamsburg, Va. A poem was offered by the bride-elect's father after dinner as well as a welcome from grandfather and best man. The bride and bridegroom chose this time to recognize the wedding party and friends with gifts of their appreciation. The bride-elect's mother presented a scrapbook of letters of well wishes for the couple from family and friends. The prospective bridegroom's mother also wished the couple happiness. The evening closed with a devotional from Rev. Ashley Palmer of Thomasville, college friend of the couple. The bride-elect chose a beautiful ecru lace sundress tied at the waist with an ecru satin ribbon and matching shoes for the evening.
Eighty guests attended this special occasion.
|
for larger version       |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
)
